Sehwag's absence at first slip is hurting

CHANDIGARH: There was a time when India's slip cordon was an enviable one. The bucket-like hands of Rahul Dravid at first slip, the soft hands of VVS Laxman at second slip, and if required, at third slip there was the ever-dependable Virender Sehwag. After Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman retired, Sehwag took up the mantle of standing at first slip to both pacers and spinners.

However, with Sehwag being shown the door by the selectors after the Hyderabad Test, the Indian team were left with a gaping hole not just at the top of the order, but also at first slip, which is a specialist position. On day two, as the spinners came on; R Ashwin was seen standing at first slip to Pragyan Ojha.

When Ashwin bowled, Sachin Tendulkar ran in from the deep and assumed the role of a slip fielder to the offie. The good thing was no chances were created and hence no opportunities went a-begging. Finally, Dhoni decided to have Virat Kohli there for both Ashwin and Ojha. Kohli dropped Ed Cowan twice and David Warner once as the two openers got one reprieve after the other and went onto add 139 for the opening wicket. In the post-tea session, Cheteshwar Pujara was seen fielding in the slips, away from his normal short leg or silly point position.

After a while, Kohli returned as the first slip fielder while Pujara went back under the helmet.

Though Kohli managed to latch onto a chance from Cowan off Ashwin's bowling, the game of musical chairs played by the Indian team with their slip cordon left many scratching their heads.

India, who are scheduled to play a series of away Tests next season in conditions where the slip fielders will have a lot to do, would do well to identify players who could do the job of Dravid, Laxman and Sehwag at slip.

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Shweta Pandey

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